Jeremy Corbyn says the Labour Party has to respect democracy (Image: PA)

I was elected nine months ago, by 60 per cent of Labour members and supporters, for a new kind of politics in a country that clearly wants real change.

During that time, Labour has ­repeatedly forced the Government to drop damaging policies, won every by-election with an increased share of the vote, and beaten the Tories in May’s local elections.

And in the EU referendum, while the country narrowly voted to leave, two thirds of Labour voters backed our call for a remain vote.

British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (Image: Getty Images)

I am ready to reach out to Labour MPs who didn’t accept my election and oppose my leadership – and work with the whole party to provide the alternative the country needs.

But they also need to respect the democracy of our party and the views of Labour’s membership, which has increased by more than 60,000 in the past week alone.

Our priority must be to mobilise this incredible force to oppose the Tories, and ensure people in Britain have a real political alternative.

Jeremy Corbyn wants the Party's main priority to be opposing the Tories (Image: REUTERS)

That is my priority and always will be as leader of our party.

Those who want to challenge my leadership are free to do so in a democratic contest, in which I will be a candidate.

But the responsibility of our whole party is to stand up in united opposition to the Tory Government – and in support of decent jobs and pay, affordable housing, rights at work and an economy that works for all.

It’s not just our own supporters who need Labour to work together.

The whole country needs Labour to heal the divisions of the referendum campaign and offer a winning alternative to the Tories at the next election – ­whenever it comes.